Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-12-22
" NOT AVAILABLE"
The Romance of Rejected Manuscript.

New York, n. Y November z, 1S8-DEAR
MADAM: We regret that the manuscript has not
been found available for the magazine
So many considerations enter into the question
of availability such a previous acceptance
of somew at similar material, or a superabun-
dance OF matter on hand, or unfitness on account
OF the editors present plans, that the return OF
your manuscript does not imply that it was
thought deficient from a literary point OF view.
With thanks for your courtesy, we are, very
truly yours,
Blanche Raymond read the letter
through several times, and then with
little sigh took up the poor, rejected
manuscript. ''Not available" she MUIR
INJURED, gIancing over the carefully writ
ten pages. 'sNot deficient from literary
point of view" "WelI they are at least
courteous; [ shouldn't wonder, though, if
they meant that last remark as balm for
my injured feelings. 1 am told that edi-
tors are so deceitful."
With these thoughts of editorial per-
fidy ranking in her bosom, Blanche re-
lapsed into silence.
She comp pressed her lips until the dim
pie in her chin was scarcely visible, and
very perceptible frown darkened her
usually serene brow,
1t was evident that something import
ant was being evolved from her busy
brain, for the frown deepened till the
gray eyes looked almost black beneath
the long lashes.
Suddenly she arose from the low rock
er in which she had been sitting, saying,
with merry twinkle in her eyes which
effectually dispelled the frown, "I'l do 1t!
it will be great lark, and [ will at least
get another opinion of my poor papers
literary merit of availability"
GA great lark" strangely improper Ian
guage for an aspiring author.
"Where are you going, dear" asked
Mrs. Raymond, as Blanche, after care
fully prepared toilet, descended to the
sitting room where her mother sat sew
ing.
@Wel, mamma, you know I told you
that the H Magazine had returned
Ely manuscript. happen to think of the
D Magazine, of our own city here,
which has not been long established, but
is fast gaining popularity. The dazzling
4 idea has occurred TO me TO take my story
there, instead of sending 1t out alone.
Perhaps / can make an impression If my
story can't laughed the little miss, cast
ing shy glance at the bright, sweet face
reflected in the mirror opposite.
"But, my dear, is that the proper thing
to do? don't like to have you GO alone
to one of those places" said the old lady
evidently regarding zone of those places"
as something uncanny.
"Why, mamma, there is no harm in it
at all. 1t is purely matter of business.
The editor is probably bald-headed,
specialized ogre, who will wilt ne with
one CLASSY stare. But I'm going to get
him to accept my story before | wilt,
even if I coll pse Immediately afterward,"
Iata lar "
who had noe learned that saddest word in
youths bright lexicon, ."fail."
-"Well, hurry back, for | shall be very
anxious till you return"
With kiss and a smiling goodbye
Blanche tripped from the room with a
heart not quite as light as when she first
thought of her venture, but she would
not own it, even to herself.
Our heroine was little more than a
child. although the suns of nineteen sum-
mers had darkeped her once daxen curls.
The Youngest child and only girl of five
chill lren, she was, of course, greatly pet
ted and caressed. girl of less sweet,
even disposition might have shown the
effects of such training in imperious man
ners and pettish exactions, but Blanche,
without special effort, had escaped
these evils. Living her happy life, sur
rounded by home love and comforts, she
had not given herself up entirely to pleas
ure, but had labored diligently to improve
a naturally bright mind, trying to make
the jewel worthy of its fair setting.
The cable-car sped along the frosty
track, bearing Blanche nearer and nearer
her destination. Her ardor was cooling
rapidly. With all her bravery she began
TO feel that facing the lion in his den was
not such a very pleasant matter. How
ever. she was not the girl to give up a
venture when once fairly begun, so she
tried not to feel nervous, but TO compose
her thoughts into neat little speech for
the edifcation of the 'spectaeied OGRE"
Finally she stood before the dread por-
tai, and the shaky knock she gave told as
plainly as any words the corresponding
condition OF her thoughts.
"Come inE' called musical voice, but
she didn't ''come." With the admirable
caution of her sex, she resolved that the
sslion" should meet her at least half way.
She knocked second time, little louder
than before. After a brief pause-an
awful pause to Blanche, the door was
thrown wide open by a-baldheaded,
specialized ogre? No, indeed! by tall,
slender man of perhaps twenty seven
years. with brown, curling hair and mus
tache, and mirthful brown eyes.
"Oh! ali! will you come INF" said the
young man, with little embarrassment
in his voice.
Blanche entered and took the politely
proffered chair without word. The 'neat
little speech" was forgotten-in fact she
seemed to have lost all speech in her
complete surprise.
"Did you wish to see me?" came the
pleasant tones of the young man, after a
moment of dreadful silence.
"Yes-that is, wished to see the edi-
for of the D Magazine" faltered
Blanche.
Blanche cast one swift glance at him,
and then slowly drew from her muff the
precious manuscripts. An amused smile
played about the editors handsome
mouth, and his eyes assumed the unmls-
taxable II told you SO" expression.
ssI have written little story, and L